In a recent study published in the BMJ, researchers investigated the factors that might influence the long-distance (more than two meters) airborne transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) in real-world indoor settings, e.g., workplaces and residential apartments. Over a short-range, i.e., under two meters, SARS-CoV-2 transmits via […]
Pfizer Plans a Vaccine to Target All Coronaviruses
Editor’s note: Find the latest COVID-19 news and guidance in Medscape’s Coronavirus Resource Center. Ask the sibling of any celebrity and they’ll tell you they don’t get anywhere near the same attention. The same is true for coronaviruses – the one that causes COVID-19 has been in the spotlight for […]
East African newborns nearly five times more likely to have neural tube defects
Newborns, whose brains, spines or spinal cords do not properly develop in utero, can be born with neural tube defects (NTD), increasing their risk of physical disabilities, intellectual impairments and death. Newborns in eastern Africa are nearly five times more likely to have a NTD compared to those in the […]
Winning by default: Tonsillectomy study shows power of pre-set opioid Rx size
A small tweak to hospitals’ prescribing systems might make a big difference in reducing risk from leftover opioid pain medication, while still making sure surgery patients get relief from their post-operation pain, a new study suggests. In teens and young adults having their tonsils taken out at a major children’s […]
Italian experts says semen can be vehicle for monkeypox infection
Researchers in Italy who were first to identify the presence of monkeypox in semen are broadening their testing, saying early results suggest sperm can be a vehicle for infection. A team at Rome’s Spallanzani Hospital, which specializes in infectious diseases, revealed in a study published on June 2 that the […]
Tweaked COVID boosters in US must target newer omicron types
U.S. regulators told COVID-19 vaccine makers Thursday that any booster shots tweaked for the fall will have to add protection against the newest omicron relatives. The Food and Drug Administration said the original vaccines would be used for anyone still getting their first series of shots. But with immunity waning […]
Strategies to provide better treatment and care to patients in the ICU
When patients are admitted to an intensive-care unit, health practitioners provide treatment based on the signs and symptoms they observe. This approach does not necessarily include understanding the definite causes behind those symptoms. However, even though some patients might present similar symptoms, the underlying biology of their illnesses can vary, […]
OCR has new guidance for patient privacy and PHI, following Dobbs ruling
The Supreme Court’s seismic ruling in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization has led to upheaval and confusion for healthcare organizations nationwide – not least when it comes to matters of patient privacy, and providers’ responsibilities around data protection. On Thursday the Office for Civil Rights in the U.S. […]
Investigating exercise-induced loss of executive function at high altitude
When physically demanding activities are performed at high altitude or in other low-oxygen environments, excellent coordination, judgment, and decision-making are important. In some cases, such as when mountaineering, these capabilities may be the difference between life and death. What is executive function and why is it important? Executive functions control […]